Lock and switch mechanism for elevator shaft doors



March 4, 1941.v J. A.r scHwElG LocK AND SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATOR SHAFT DOORS Fd April 24, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1' f, WN wwwa LOCK- AND SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATOR SHAFT DOORS March 4, 1941.

J.v A. SCHWEIG s'shets-sheet 2 ORA/E Filed April 24, 1939 March 4, 1941.

LOCK AND SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATOR SHAFTDOORS 26 ZZ Z8 faz Filed April 24, 1939 J. A. scHwElG 2,233,853

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFICE LOCK AND SWITCH MECHANISM FR ELEVATOR SHAFT DOORS JuliusA. Schweig, St. Louis, Mo.

Application April 24, 1939, Serial N o. 269,585

15 Claims.

This invention relates to lock and switch mechanisms for the shaft doors of electric elevators. thas for its principal object to devise a simple and efficient lock and switch mechanism that will prevent opening of the shaft doors when the car is not at a landing, that will prevent actuation of the car until the shaft doors are closed and locked and that will prevent actuation of the car when the lock bar of said mechanism is removed to permit inspection or repair thereof. Other objects are to adapt said mechanism for operation by stationary or retiringcams and to provide for cheapness of construction, compactness of design, ease of assembly and installation and easy .access to all of the parts of said mechanism. The "invention consists in the lock and switch mechanism and in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification andvwherein like symbols refer to' like parts wherever they occur,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of an elevator shaft at one side of a door thereof provided with a door lock and electric switch mechanism embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is .an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 in the region of said mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a. vertical section on the line 3--3 in Fig. 2, showing the free positions of the lock arm and the switch arm parts when the door is locked and the car is not at the landing,

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig 3, showing the positions of said arms when the door is opened and the car is at the landing with the stationary cam carried by said car in engagement with the lock arm,

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the cover plate removed 'from the housing of said mechanism,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section 7on the line 6--6' in Fig. 2, showing the door locked and the switches closed,

Fig. 'l is a View similar to Fig..6, showing the door unlocked .and the lower switch opened,

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8 8 in Fig. 6,

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9-9 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on the line Il--Iil in Fig. l, l

Fig. l1 is a perspective View ol the lower portion of thelock bar, l

Fig, 12 is a front-elevation of a. combined switch and lock mechanism adapted for actuation by the retiring cam of an elevatorccar, the cover (C1. IS7- 31) plate of the housing being shown broken away,

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section on the line Ill- I4 in Fig. 12; and

Fig, 15 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line I5-I5 in Fig. 12.

In the accompanying drawings, my invention is shown in connection with .an electric elevator comprising a shaft A having a door opening B therein that is closed by a vertical sliding door comprising upper and lower counterbalanced door sections C and D, respectively. Each of said door sections is provided along yeach vertical edge with an angle bar side rail I having an outstanding ange slidably arranged between an upright double angle bar door guide 2 secured to the elevator shaft.

On each side of the door opening, the upper door section isr hung on a chain 3 that passes over a sheave 4 located within the shaft adjacent to the upper corner of said door opening. One end of the door chain 3 is suitably connected, as at 5, to the adjacent lower corner of the upper door section. The other end of said chain is connected to the upper end of an upright rod 6, whose lower end is secured to the outer end of an arm 'I that projects horizontally from the adjacent upper corner of the lower door section. By this arrangement, one door section serves to counterbalance the weight of the other door section, and the two sections move simultaneously towards and away from each other to close and open the door. The elevator door construction thus far described is wellknown and it is considered unnecessary to illustrate it in detail.

The door is equipped with a combined lock and switch .actuating device comprising a housing or box 8 that is removably secured by bolts 9 tothe door guide 2 opposite the arm 1 of the lower door section in the closed position thereof. Access is had /to the interior of said housing through an opening Ill in the front thereof that is closed by a removable cover plate II. An upright lock bar lI2 is removably attached at its lower end to the door arm 'l bymeans of'a bolt I3; anda guide angle I4 is bolted to the door guide 2 to hold said lock bar in vertical position as it moves up and down with the lower door section. Said lock bar is further guided in a T-slot I5a. in the overhanging portion of a plate I5 bolted to the top of the housing 8. The lock bar is stiffened and strengthened by means of a longitudinal medial rib It on the front side thereof that is also guided in the T-slot I5a in the guide plate I5.

The lock bar I2 has a vertically elongated opening I1 extending horizontally therethrough below the rib I6 thereof adapted, in the closed position of the lower door section, to receive a lug I8a at the free upper end of an upstanding lock arm or keeper i8, whose lower end is rotatably supported on one end of a horizontal rock shaft I9 thatis journaled in alined openings provided therefor in the side walls of the housing 8 substantially midway between the top and bottom thereof. The lock arm I8 is located outside of the housing and is yieldably held in locking position against a depending stop lug on the upper guide plate supporting portion of the hous-` ing by means of a coil spring 2| interposed between the back of said arm and a laterally extendinglug 22 on the adjacent side wall of said housing. The lock arm supporting end of the rock shaft i9 is rotatably supported outwardly of the lock arm in the upper end of a bracket 23 whose lower end is bolted to the adjacent side face of the housing. The slot engaging lug I8a of the lock arm i8 is preferably provided with a reduced outer end portion I8b .adapted to enter the` slot I1 in the lockbar I2 when the door is not entirely closed and said slot is not in position to receive the entire lug.

Secured to the lock arm I8 by means of a bolt 24 near the upper end thereof is an extension arm 25 which extends into the shaft and has a roller 26 journaled thereon at its outer end adapted to be engaged by a suitable cam 21 rigid with and forming part of the elevator ear (not shown) The lock arm extension 25 may be rotated on the bolt 24 to adjust the roller 26 relative to the cam 21 and then locked in the desired position of adjustment by tightening said bolt. By this arrangement, whenever the car passes or stops at the landing, the roller 26 is engaged by the stationary carn 21 on the elevator car and swings the lock arm I8 in a direction which will disengage the lug I8a thereof from the slot I1 in the lock bar I2.

, Enclosed within the housing are two vertically spaced electric switches E and F that are both incorporated in the electric circuit (not shown) which controls the operation of the elevator car, The upper switch E comprises a pair of stationary contact posts 28, and a contact plate 29 movable with a pivotal arm 30 into and out of engagement with said contact posts. The stationary contact posts 28 are Xed to a nbre insulating block 3I that is secured to the bottom of the box. The movable contact plate 29 is loosely sleeved on a pin 32 fixed toa fibre insulating block 33 secured to the arm 30. Said contact .plate is held on its rsupporting pin 32 by a cotter pin 34; and a coilspring 35 sleeved on the pin 32 between `said plate and the insulating block 33 serves to yieldably hold said plate against said cott'er pin. The other or lower switch F is similar to the switch E and `comprises a pair of stationary contact posts 36 mounted on an insulating block 31 secured to the bottom of the housing 8, a contact plate 38 mounted on a pin 39 xed to a bre insulating block 49 that is secured to an arm 4I, a Cotter pin 42 for holding said plate on its supporting p-in, and a coil spring 43 sleeved-on Said supporting pin between said plate and the insulating block 49.

The arm 4I is pinned at its upper end on the rock shaft I9 between the side walls of the housing, and the arm 39 is preferably journaled at its lower yend on a pin 44 xed to an upstanding lug 45 on'tlie upper or pivoted end of the arm 4I.

A coil spring 46 is interposed between' the bottom of the housing Band the arm 39 near the pivoted end of the latter; and the pressure of said spring against said arm tends to open the switch E. Due to the pivotal connection 44 between the switch arms 30 and 4 I, the spring 46, which opens the switch E, also tends to close the switch F.

of a plunger 41 that is slidably mounted in a bore that extends horizontally through the cover plate I I from front to back thereof. Said lock bar presses said plunger inwardly against the arm 30 of the upper switch and thus holds the same in closed position.

The normally closed lower switch F is opened against the pressure of the closing spring 46 therefor by means of a rock arm 48 that is pinned to the rock shaft I9 exteriorly of the housing on the side thereof remote from the lock arm I8 and has a roller 49 journaled on its free end adapted, when the door is opened, to be engaged by the lock bar I2 tothereby rock said arm and thus open said switch. The lock bar I2 has a notch 5I) therein adapted, in the closed position of the door, to accommodate the roller 49 of the switch opening arm 48 and thus relieve said roller of the pressure of said lock bar. The portion of the lock bar at the upper edge of the notch` 50 therein is inclined downwardly and outwardly away from the body of said bar yto form an inclined lip or cam portion 5I adapted, when said bar moves downwardly at the beginning of the opening movement of the door to bear against the periphery of said roller 49. forwardly of i thel axis thereof and thus force said roller and the supporting arm 48 therefor rearwardly far enough to rotate the shaft I9 in a direction that will swing the lever 4I pinned thereon outwardly and disengage the contact plate 38 carried thereby from the stationary contact posts 36 of the switch F and thus open the same. Thus, when the door is opened, the switch F is held open by the engagement of the lock bar I2 with the roller 49, thereby preventing operation of the elevator` car until the dooris completely closed and the notch 50 in said lock bar is in position to receive said roller and permit said switch to close.

The upper switch E is held closedv by the lock bar I2 in all positions of the door. However, in the event of repairs that necessitate the removal of the lock bar, such removal removes the pressure of the lock bar on the outer endof the switch closing plunger 41, thereby permitting the spring 4B to open said switch and thus prevent operation ofthe elevator car until the lock bar is again replaced.

As shown in Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, the above lock and switch mechanism may be modified for use in an elevator having a car equipped with a retiring cam; that is, a cam (no-t shown) of the type that is movably mounted on the car and is automatically engaged with the roller 26 to open the lower switch F and unlock the door when the car stops at the landing and is autolof which will swing the contact carrying switch arm 4| outwardly and open said switch. As the spring 2| serves to hold the lower switch F in closed position, the pivotal connection 44 between the contact carrying arms 30 and 4| of the upper andflower switches E and F, respectively, is dispensed with and a separate supporting pivot 44a is provided in the bottom of the housing 8 for thecontact carrying arm 30 lof the upper switch. In this construction, the notch 5U and inclined lip 5|v of the lock bar I2 may be dispensed with. With this arrangement, the upper switch E is always held in closed position by the engagement of the lock bar with the plunger 41 and the lower switch F is opened and the door unlocked when the retiring cam is moved forward into engagement with the roller 2B at the upper end of the lock` arm I8 to thereby swing said arm and thus rotate the rock shaft I9 in a direction that will open said lower switch against the pressureof the spring 2| and break the electric circuit controlling the elevator car.

Obviously, the hereinbefore described arrangement admits of considerablemodification without departing from the invention. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a lock for said door, a switch associated with said lock and adapted to be incorporated in an electric circuit for controlling the operation of a car in said shaft, and a second switch adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, said rst mentioned switch being closed when said lock is in locking position and opened in the unlocked position of said lock, and said Second switch being closed by an associated part of said lock in all positions thereof and being adapted to open automatically upon removal of said part.

2. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a locking device for said door, a switch associated with said locking device and adapted to be incorporated in the electric control circuit for a car in said shaft, a second switch adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, said first mentioned switch being closed when said locking device is in locking position and opened in the unlocked position of said locking device, said locking device including a keeper element adapted in all positions of said door to-V hold said second switch in closed position, and means associated with said second switch for automatically opening the same when said keeper element is displaced from operative position.

3. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a locking device for said door, a switch associated with said door locking device and adapted to be incorporated in an electric control circuit for a car in said shaft, a second switch adapted to bev incorporated ,in said circuit, said rst mentioned switch being closed when said locking device is in locking position and opened when said device is in unlocked position, said locking device including a keeper element removably secured to said door and adapted in all positions thereof to hold said second switch in closed position, and means for automatically opening said switch to break said circuit upon removal of said keeper element.

4. In an electric elevator, a shaft having a door opening therein, a door for closing said opening, a locking device for said door comprising a lock bar movable with said Adoor and a lock arm pivoted in said shaft and adapted to move into interlocking engagement with said lock bar in the closed vposition of said door, a cam adaptedr to be mounted on a car working in said shaft and to disengage said lock arm from said lock bar when said car is opposite said opening, a normally closed switch adapted -to be incorporated in an electric circuit for controlling the operation of said car, said lock bar being adapted to open said switch in the open position of said door, and a second switch in said circuit adapted to be held closed by said lock bar in all positions of said door.

5. In an electric elevator, a shaft having a sliding door opening thereinfa door for closing said opening, a locking device for said door comprising a lock bar movable with said door and a lock arm pivoted in said shaft adjacent to said door opening and adapted to move into locking engagement with said lock bar in the closed position of said door, a switch adapted to be incorporated in an electric circuit for controlling the operation of a car working in said shaft, a cam adapted to be mounted on said car for disengaging said lock arm from said lock bar when said car is opposite said opening, and an operative connection between said lock arm and said switch adapted to open the latter whensaid lock arm is disengaged from said lock bar Iby said cam, said lock bar being adapted inthe open position of said door to hold said lock arm in unlocked position and said switch in open position.

6. In an electricA elevator, a shaft having a door opening therein, a door' for closing said opening, a locking device for said door comprising a lock bar movable with said door and a lock arm pivoted in said shaft adjacent to said door opening and adapted to move into locking engagement with'said lock bar in the closed position of said door, a switch adapted to be incorporated in an electric circuit for controlling the opera'- tion of a car working in said shaft, a cam adapted to vbe mounted on said car for disengaging said lock arm from said lock bar when said car is opposite said opening, an operative connection between said lock arm and said switch adapted to open the latter when said lock arm is disengaged from said lock bar b-y said cam, and a second switch in said circuit adapted to be held in closed position by said lock bar in all positions of said door.

7. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a sliding locking device for said door comprising a housing fixed to said shaft, a lock arm pivoted on said housing, an upright lock bar movable with said door and having an opening therein adapted to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a cam adapted to be mounted on a car working in said shaft and adapted to disengage said lock arm from the opening in said lock bar, a switch enclosed in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in an electric -circuit for controlling the operation of said car, said lock arm being operatively connected to said switch for opening the same when said arm is disengaged from the opening in said lock bar, and a single spring means for moving said lock arm into engagement with the opening in said lock bar and for closing said switch, said lock bar being adapted in the open position of said door to hold said lock arm in unlocked position and said switch in open position.

8. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a locking device for said door comprising a housing fixed to said shaft, a lock arm pivoted onv said housing, a lock bar movable with said door and having an opening therein adapted to be'engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a cam adapted to be mounted position in all positions of said door.

9. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a sliding locking device for said door Comprising a housing xed to said shaft, a rock shaft journaled in said housing, a lock arm journaled on said shaft, a spring for yieldably holding said lock arm in locking position, an upright lock bar movable with said door and having a slot ,therein adapted to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a switch mounted in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in the-electric control circuit of a car adapted to .operate in said elevator shaft, a cam carried by said car for moving said lock arm to unlocked position, said switch including a movable contact and a supporting arm therefor fixed to said rock shaft, a spring for urging said contact carrying arm to switch closing position, and an arm fixed to said rock shaft and adapted in the open position of said door to be actuated by said lock bar to thereby move said Contact supporting arm against the tension of said spring to switch opening position.

10. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a locking device for said door comprising a housing xed to said shaft, a rock shaft journaled in said housing, a lock arm journaled on said shaft, a spring for yieldably holding said lock arm in locking position, -a lock bar movable with said door and having a slot therein adaptedY to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a switch mounted in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in the electric control circuit of a car adapted to operate in said elevator shaft, a cam'supported on said car for moving said lock arm to unlocked position, said switch including a movable contact, and a supporting arm therefo-r fixed to said lock shaft, .a spring for urging said contact carrying arm toswitch closing position, an arm fixed to said rock shaft and adapted in the opened position of said door to be actuated by said lock bar to thereby move said contact supporting arm against the tension of said spring to switch opening position, a second spring opened switch mounted in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, and an operative connection between said second switch and said lock bar for holding said second switch closed in all operative positions of said lock bar.

, 11. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a locking device for said door comprising a housing fixed to said shaft, a rock shaft journaled in said housing, a lock arm journaled on said shaft, a spring for yieldably holding said lock arm in locking position, a lock bar movable with said door and having a slot therein adapted to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a switch mounted in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in the electric control 'circuit of a canworking said elevator shaft, a cam supported on said car for moving said lock arm to unlocked position, said switchr including a movable contact arm and a supporting arm therefor nxed to said rock shaft, a spring for urging said contact supporting arm to switch closing position, an arm fixed to said rock shaft and adapted, when the door is opened, to be actuated by said lock bar to thereby move said contact supporting arm against'the tension o-f switch'mounted in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, said second switch including a spring opened contact carrying arm, and ,ar plunger slidable in said housing between saidplast mention-ed arm and said lock bar, said lock bar and said plunger holding said last men--` tioned arm in switch closing position in all p0- sitions of said door.

12. In an electric elevator, va shaft, a door` therein, a slidingv locking device comprising a housing xed to said shaft, a rock shaft journaled in said housing, a lock arm fixed to said shaft, a lock bar movable with said door and having-a slot therein adapted to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a switch mounted in said housing and adapted to Vbe incorporated in the electric control circuit of a car working in said elevator shaft, said switch including a contact carrying arm fixed to said rock shaft,l a spring for yieldably holding said lock arm in locking position and said co-ntact carrying arm Iin switch closingY position, and a cam supported on said car and adapted to engage said lock arm to move said lock arm to unlocked posii said spring to switch opening position, a second tion and said `contact carrying arm to switchv opening position, said lock bar being adaptedin the open position of said door to hold said lock arm in unlocked position and said switch in open position.

13. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door` therein, a locking device comprising a housing fixed to said shaft, a ,rock shaft journaled in said housing, aV lock arm fixed to said shaft outsidel vsaid housing, a lock bar movable with said door and having a slot therein adapted to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a switch enclosed in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in the electric controlY circuit of a car working in said elevator shaft, said switch including a contact carrying arm fixed to said rock shaft, a spring'for yieldably holding said lock arm in locking position andY said contact carrying arm in switch closing position, a cam supported onsaid car and adapted to engage said lock arm to move said lock arm to unlocked position andsaid contact carrying armv to switch opening position, and a second switch enclosed in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, said second switch including a contact carrying arm pivoted in said housing 4and a spring urging said last mentioned arm to switch opening position, and an operative connection between said ,lock bar and said lastrnentioned contact carrying arm for holding the lat- A said housing, a lock bar movable'with said door`75 and having a slot therein adapted to be engaged by said lock arm in the closed position of said door, a switch enclosed in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in the electric control circuit of a car working in said elevator shaft, said switch including a contact carrying arm fixed to said rock shaft, a spring for yieldably holding said lock arm in locking position and said contact carrying arm in switch closing position, a cam supported on said car and adapted to engage said lock arm to move said lock arm to unlocked position and said contact carrying arm to switch opening position, `and a second switch enclosed in said housing and adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, said second switch including a Contact carrying arm pivoted in said housing, and a spring urging said last mentioned arm to switch opening position, and a plunger slidable in said housing between said last mentioned contact carrying arm and said lock bar, said lock bar and said plunger holding said last mentioned contact carrying arm in switch closing position in all positions of said door.

15. In an electric elevator, a shaft, a door therein, a spring closed switch adapted to be incorporated in an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of a car in said shaft, a member mounted on said door for opening said switch when said door opens and for permitting said switch to close when said door closes, and a `second spring opened switch adapted to be incorporated in said circuit, said member cooperating with said second switch for holding the same closed in all positions of said door, and adapted for removal or displacement with relation to said second switch to permit the same to open.

JULIUS A. SCHWEIG.

CERILIFICATE OF CORRECTION. l Patent No. 2,255,855. Mar-ch Li, 19in.

JULIUS A. SCHWEIG.

It is hereby certified that error 'appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows; Pag-e5, seeond colunin, line 5liclaim7, strike out the werd "sliding" and insert the same before door in line 55,same claim; page b., first `column, line 19, claim 9, strikev out "sliding" and insert the same before "door" in line 18,

'same -claim 9;.and that the said` Letters Patentl should be read with this correction therein that the same may conformto the record'of the case in the. Patent Office. l I

Signedvand sealed this 22nd day oi`,Apri1 A. D.l 19M.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

